Christmas is fast approaching, and if you need a little boost to get into the spirit of the season, there are still plenty of markets, craft fairs, and special events coming up throughout the region in December. They represent great opportunities to support local vendors and artisans, shop local, and create some lasting memories.
FRIDAY, DEC. 6
Clinton big tree light-up and shop local event
The Clinton Community Forest is holding its big tree light-up event starting at 4:30 p.m. in front of the Clinton village office. Just follow the music and find Santa’s helpers, who will be handing out holiday treats before the actual light-up, which takes place promptly at 5 p.m.
After that you can do some Christmas shopping, and support local merchants, at the “Embrace the Holiday Spirit” shop local event, taking place until 8 p.m. throughout Clinton. More than a dozen Main Street businesses, and five home-based businesses, are taking part; get a shopping card from any of the participating businesses or the Clinton village office, spend a minimum of $75 on Dec. 6, then drop your card off at the village office and be entered to win one of four holiday gift baskets valued at $250 each.
Every card dropped off — regardless of the amount spent — will get you a free Christmas ornament, and Hunnies Mercantile will be providing a free hot chocolate (one per person) on the day to keep you warm while you shop. For a full list of participating businesses, visit the Clinton Chatter Facebook page.
Ashcroft Santa Parade and Santa Madness
The Ashcroft HUB is hosting the annual Santa Parade; this year’s theme is “A Gingerbread Christmas”, and community organizations and clubs, non-profits, sports teams, businesses, families, and individuals are welcome to enter a float or take part on foot. The parade starts at 6 p.m. from the south end of Railway Avenue (near the community garden). If you would like to take part, it’s not too late: contact the HUB at (250) 453-9177 or email ashcrofthub@gmail.com.
Before the parade starts, take some time to check out local shops and businesses. If you spend $50 or more at your favourite Ashcroft shop on Friday, Dec. 6, you could win a fabulous gift basket. Simply bring your receipt to the Ashcroft village office any time before Friday, Dec. 13, and your name will be entered in the draw.
Spences Bridge ham and turkey bingo
The Spences Bridge Community Club is holding a ham and turkey bingo at Clemes Hall in Spences Bridge (doors open at 5:30 p.m.). There will be an early bird cash bingo and 10 regular games for a ham or turkey, with a final blackout game for a ham and a turkey. There will also be a concession, door prizes, a 50/50 draw, and fun and games for all.
SATURDAY, DEC. 7
Cache Creek market
The Cache Creek Beautification Society’s 10th annual Christmas Market will be at the Cache Creek Community Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and features more than 30 vendors. The Ashcroft and District Lions Club will be providing a concession. For more information call/text Wendy at (250) 457-0245.
Ashcroft HUB market
The Ashcroft HUB Christmas Market will be taking place at the HUB from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and features more than 70 tables of gift ideas, along with a concession, door prizes, and a 50/50 draw; there will also be an opportunity to have your picture taken with the Big Man himself, Santa. Bring a donation of a non-perishable food item for the Ashcroft food bank and receive a free hot chocolate or coffee.
SUNDAY, DEC. 8
Spences Bridge bazaar
The Spences Bridge Christmas Bazaar will be at Clemes Hall from noon to 4 p.m., and will also feature an auction, a raffle, and a concession. Please bring a non-perishable food item for the Helping Hands Food Cupboard. Tables are $10 each; for more information contact Mavourneen at (250) 457-1505.
MONDAY–WEDNESDAY, DEC. 9–11
David Stoddart jingle shop
Students at David Stoddart School in Clinton will once again be holding their Jingle Shop event, where kids can shop for inexpensive Christmas gifts from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each day. Donations of new or gently-used items are appreciated, including unisex items, men’s items, trinkets, games, wrapping paper, tags, etc. All money raised stays within the school community to benefit the students; last year’s event raised more than $400.
Anyone with items to donate can contact Jodi Madison on Facebook, or drop them off at the school, by Dec. 6. A few “elf helpers” to assist at the wrapping station would be appreciated; if you’d like to volunteer, contact Jodi.
TUESDAY–FRIDAY, DEC. 10–13
Desert Sands School Christmas store
The popular Christmas store is returning to Desert Sands Community School in Ashcroft, and is a chance for students to shop for gifts for family and friends. Organizers are inviting donations of new or gently used toys, home décor items, tools, jewellery, holiday lights and decorations, and wrapping supplies. All items can be dropped off during regular school hours at the DSCS Strong Start or Ashcroft Early Learning/Daycare classrooms.
SATURDAY, DEC. 14
Llenlleney’ten/High Bar First Nation market
Llenlleney’ten/High Bar First Nation is hosting a Christmas Market at the Clinton Memorial Hall (306 LeBourdais Avenue) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (doors open for vendor set-up at 9 a.m.). The market is open to all, and there will be a cash-only concession, with proceeds going towards supporting youth initiatives and programming. Tables are $20 each; for more information contact Cassidy Fletcher at (250) 459-2117.
Ashcroft turkey bingo
The Ashcroft HUB and the Ashcroft and District Lions Club are giving you a chance to win Christmas dinner at the annual Turkey bingo, taking place at the Cache Creek Community Hall (doors open at 10 a.m. and bingo action starts at 11 a.m.). The event will also feature a concession, door prizes, a 50/50 draw, and more.
Lillooet Christmas market
The Lillooet Farmers’ Market is holding a special Christmas market from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lillooet Rec Centre gym. The event will include food, music, and hot drinks, and Mrs. Claus will be there to greet attendees. For more information, or to be a vendor, contact Cara at (778) 209-7155.
SUNDAY, DEC. 15
Savona pancake breakfast with Santa
It’s hard work getting ready for Christmas, which is why Santa will be taking a break and enjoying the Savona Community Association’s pancake breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. at the community hall. A delicious breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage, ham, pancakes, juice, and coffee is only $10 per person, and kids six and under are free.
Spences Bridge Christmas party
Get ready for a Christmas party, co-hosted by Cook’s Ferry Indian Band and the Spences Bridge Community Club, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cook’s Ferry Band gym. A few elves are needed on Monday, Dec. 9 to help decorate the gym; come by the Cook’s Ferry office at 9:30 a.m. All are welcome: the more the merrier!
For more information, call Jolene at (250) 458-2224; you can also let her know if you have children who will be attending, so Santa’s helpers can arrange something special.
Clinton kids’ Christmas party
A free community Christmas party for children 10 and under will be taking place in Clinton from 1 to 3 p.m. There will be crafts and carolling, hot dogs and hot chocolate, a gift for each child who has been signed up, and a chance to meet Santa Claus himself.
Sign-up sheets are available at several locations around town, including Clinton Building Centre, the Clinton post office, Canco, Central Market, Integris Credit Union, and the Clinton Legion.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 18
CPKC Holiday Train
The Holiday Train — recently voted the Best Winter Activity in the region — will be back, pulling into Savona at 7:05 p.m. and getting to Ashcroft at 8:45 p.m. (times approximate); on Thursday, Dec. 19 the train will arrive in Lytton at 11:30 a.m. The featured performers will be Magic! and Sofia Camara, who will perform some new songs and some old favourites.
There will be hot dogs and hot chocolate available by donation at the Savona fire hall before the train arrives there, while Santa Claus himself will be at the Ashcroft stop, which will also feature free hot chocolate and cookies courtesy of the South Cariboo Elizabeth Fry Society. All events will benefit local food banks, and attendees are encouraged to bring donations of non-perishable food items.
THURSDAY, DEC. 19
Light up Clinton
The Clinton Communities in Bloom Beautification Society is once again sponsoring the Clinton Christmas Light-up event, and residents and businesses are encouraged to deck the halls with lights and decorations for all to enjoy. On Dec. 19 judges will be touring the community to check out the results, and there will be prizes for the best residential and commercial displays. There is no need to formally enter; just make sure your lights are on on Dec. 19, and you’ll automatically be included.
FRIDAY, DEC. 20
Soup’s On Christmas dinner
The Soup’s On program will be hosting a Christmas dinner at St. Alban’s Anglican Church in Ashcroft. All are invited to a turkey and ham dinner with all the trimmings, with the by-donation meal served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 25
The Equality Project in Cache Creek is once again holding a Christmas Day lunch for all who might otherwise be spending Christmas alone. Volunteers will be serving up a ham and turkey Christmas meal with all the trimmings from noon to 2 p.m. at the clubhouse at 1260 Stage Road. For more information call (250) 457-6485 or email info@theequalityproject.ca.
SOMETHING DIFFERENT
Olde-fashioned Christmas
Step back in time to the Christmases of long ago at the Barkerville Historic Town and Park, which is hosting an olde-fashioned Christmas on Dec. 14 and 15. Visitors van browse a variety of unique gifts, handcrafted items, and seasonal treats while enjoying caroling on Main Street, fresh baking at the Goldfield Bakery, and chili at the House Hotel Saloon. There will also be live programming throughout the town, photographs with Father Christmas, and the chance to go for a horse-drawn sleigh ride; the blacksmith’s forge will be hot, and the press will be running at the Cariboo Sentinel.
Admission (at the gate and online) is $12 for adults and $10 for seniors; children and youth will be admitted for free with donation of a non-perishable food item to the Wells Food Hamper. For more details and advance tickets, go to http://barkerville.ca/christmas.
